Byrnes and Russell strike at Roscommon
The treble had been available at odds of 3314-1 before the gamble and bookies were once again hit as the dynamic duo pulled off an unlikely treble
TRAINER Charles Byrnes and jockey Davy Russell were the toast of punters when bashing the bookies with a heavily-backed 42-1 treble at Roscommon.
War Anthem, Mr Smith and Top Of the Town all did the business for the County Limerick handler in convincing fashion.
“After Galway we needed it. I did my brains in at Galway with Sea Light and Crystal Pearl,” said Byrnes.
“That’s my first treble. It’s just the way it happened. I wouldn’t say I planned it.
“I had a bunch of horses come into form and I put them in together. It was the last couple of weeks I was able to put it together. Long-term it would be impossible to plan.”
The first leg was landed by War Anthem (6-1), who barely had to break sweat in taking the Paul Byron Shoes Maiden Hurdle by three and a quarter lengths from William B.
Byrnes said: “The man (Russell) is a genius.
“He travelled lovely and jumped well. Brilliant. He had been schooling well. We’ll tip away with him now.”
Mr Smith (7-4 favourite) also enjoyed a smooth success, coming home four and a quarter lengths clear from Tb Broke Her in the J.F. Hanley Handicap Hurdle.
“They are going well. We’ve straightened up a bit after Galway as we were on our knees!” said Byrnes.
“Davy’s a deadly man. He pushed his way through on the rail all the way down the back.”
Top Of The Town (5-4 favourite) capped a red-letter day for the Byrnes team when completing the treble with a five-length call over Russian Roulette in the Class Grass Handicap Hurdle.
